Brazil football star Neymar backs far-right Bolsonaro days before election

The Brazilian football star Neymar has come out in support of President Jair Bolsonaro, three days before the far-right leader looks set to lose a bitter re-election race against his leftist rival Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

The populist leader is trailing badly in the polls and could face a humiliating first-round defeat when 156 million Brazilians go to the polls on Sunday.

If neither candidate wins a first-round majority then a run-off will be held on 30 October.

Neymar was not present but he spoke via phone and welcomed Bolsonaro to a charity that provides sporting, health and educational facilities to thousands of underprivileged local children.

His endorsement is the latest by a high-profile footballer from the South American country that is the only team to win the World Cup five times.

Bolsonaro took power in 2018 with the support of several top names, including the former Barcelona forwards Ronaldinho and Rivaldo, Tottenham winger Lucas Moura and ex-Juventus and Galatasaray midfielder Felipe Melo.

Bolsonaro is a keen football fan and often appears wearing club shirts at campaigns, rallies and even official functions.

Curiously, Neymar himself admitted earlier this year that the national team was no longer as beloved as it once was and he was unrepentant on Friday in a follow-up post on Twitter.